The 16,407 people at the Domus were able to pay homage to Daniele Dessena, before Cagliari-Lecce, for his retirement from playing football announced a week ago at the end of his last match with Olbia.

«It was not an easy decision, because inside me I have a huge passion for football», declares the now former midfielder, who received a celebratory shirt and applause from the crowd a few minutes after kick-off. «I think the time has come for me to make this decision with the utmost serenity: I will soon be 37 years old, after a rather complicated season it was a thought that was also wearing me down inside. I couldn't sleep, it gave me insecurities and I'm a guy who doesn't want to have any because they're a waste of time. I told myself I had to take a path and I chose that: I will never change it, because I don't like athletes who retire and then come back."

Ten years in Sardinia. Dessena played at Cagliari in 2009-2010 and from 2012 to 2019, then spent the last year and a half of his career at Olbia from January 2023 to seven days ago. «I think I gave everything I had to give, I'm proud and proud of myself. I sacrificed a lot but it was right like this, an eternal bond was created between me and the people. I had the privilege of being the captain of Cagliari and I hope to have honored such a prestigious band." Visibly emotional and at times in tears, he also talks about what he will do now that he has stopped: «I'm not worried about the future, I will put my all into making other dreams come true. I already have the UEFA B license, I will continue to study to be a coach. I thank the Giulini family and all the people who applauded me: I realized many things, ten years and a beautiful career. I'm happy to have finished it in Sardinia: being back in Cagliari made me feel at home, I feel like myself here."

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